9-Year-Old Boy Charged in Death of Sister, 5

OREGON CITY, Ore. — A 9-year-old boy punished his little sister for refusing to go to her room by shooting her to death with their father's hunting rifle, authorities say.

Prosecutors charged Brandon Roses with the juvenile equivalent of murder Wednesday over the objection of his parents, who insist that he didn't mean to kill 5-year-old Charolette.

"A 9-year-old cannot even comprehend taking somebody's life on purpose," said Brandon's mother, Laurel Roses. But prosecutors contend that Brandon, now 10, killed his sister in a fit of anger when left in charge of her and a 6-year-old brother June 23.